Oil-press.



N. W. L. BROWN.

OIL PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.7,1913.

1,107,487 Patented Aug. 18, 1914 4 SHEETSSHEET 1.

Era E THE AORRIS PETERS CO, PHOTO-Linda. wAsHlNGwN, D C.

N. W. L. BROWN.

OIL PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7, 1913.

Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

4 SHEETS SHEET 2.

THE NORRIS PETERS 30., PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D. C.

N. W. L. BROWN.

OIL PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED :mm, 1913.

1 1 07,487. Patented Aug. 18, 19M.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

snow W01 THE NORRIS PETERS ca, PHOTrf-LITHQ. WASHINOTONL 03:,

N. W. L. BROWN.

OIL PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7, 1913 1,1G7A87e Patented Aug. 18, 1914,

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4..

FIIIIZ: Ill .116 l I I n [I I I ll f3 TEE E 1 1,

NIMROD W. L. BROWN, OF MARIETTA, GEORGIA.

OIL-PRESS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

Application filed January 7, 1913. Serial No. 740,639.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, NIMROD W. L. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marietta, in the county of Cobb and State of Georgia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Oil-Presses, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to presses, and particularly those intended for expressing fluid from oleaginous matter, such as cotton seed meats, and in the present disclosure I shall describe it as an oil press, although it will be understood that I do not limit it to the particular adaptation here shown, as it may be conveniently adapted and used for any material from which it is desirable to express the fluid content.

Among the objects contemplated by the present invention is the provision of a press in which the boxes are conveniently assembled and operated for charging and discharging; in which the press boxes are so constructed as to have a maximum strength with a minimum of material; said boxes, furthermore, being so formed'as to provide an efficient drainage system for the expressed fluid; and, finally being of such construction as to facilitate the discharging of the compressed material in the pressure chambers.

Other advantages may accrue from the construction which I have invented, and all such results as arise from the constructions and combinations which I disclose, and are inherent therein, are, of course, within the range of my invention.

In order that the invention may be under stood by those skilled in the art, I have shown in the accompanying drawings one embodiment thereof, and that the best now known to me, but since many mechanical,

variations may be made in construction I do not limit myself to the precise expedients shown in the present embodiment.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a press constructed and assembled in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is an elevation at right angles to Fig. 1: Fig. 3 is a plan view of my improved press box; Figs. 4 and 5 are side and end views, respectively, of the press-box shown in Fig. 3; Fig. (3 is a sectional view of two pressboxes assembled; Fig. 7 is a plan view of a portion of a press-box to show the drainage system; Figs. 8 and 9 are detail sectional views to show the box windows and closures.

Fig. 10 is a plan View of one end of the press box showing other constructions of the box window closures. Fig. 11 is an elevation of the press box shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line 1212 of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the closure plug of Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a sectional View on the line 1414 of Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings by numbers, like numbers indicating like parts in the several views, 10 indicates the foundation plate for the press, said plate being made preferably, as shown, in the form of a ring, of approximately the size of the hydraulic cylinder which it supports, and of truncated triangular form in cross section, as indicated by dotted lines. The foundation ring 10 supports the hydraulic cylinder 11, which may be of the usual form, having the plunger 12, at the lower end of which I preferably provide a lug or boss 13 which supports the piston at its extreme position of travel. The piston 12 is, of course, properly packed, as at 14, to give the requisite fluid-tight relation of piston and cylinder, and the cylinder will be provided with any usual or suitable fluid connections for supplying and releasing motive fluid, as at 15.

Rising from the bottom frame 16 of the press are the uprights or supporting columns 17 of the press, said columns entering suitable depending sleeves on the cylinder plate 16 and having the securing nuts 18 at their upper and lower ends. At their upper ends the columns 17 carry the top frame 19 of the press, above which is suit-ably mounted the support 20 for the hydraulic press-frame lift, which lift comprises the usual cylinder 21, provided with any suitable or customary passages 22 for motive fluid, and in which slides the piston 23 suitably packed to give it the necessary fluid-tightness by any suitable packing as 23. The piston 23 carries a crosshead 24 from the ends of which depend tension rods 25, said tension rods engaging one of the series of press boxes which lie between the ram and the lift, and which will now be described.

In the illustration herewith I have shown the press as provided with fourteen press boxes, although it will be understood that the number of boxes may be varied at will, according to the capacity of press which is desired, and, as shown in Fig. 1, the upper ten press boxes are lifted directly by the tension rods 25, which tension rods engage supporting ears 26 on the lower press box of the ten controlled by the upper lift, the tension rods passing through suitable apertures in the ears 26, and being secured thereto by suitable lock nuts, as shown. The uppermost box of the ten is shown with thebed or mat 3O omitted.

As shown in Fig. 1, the press boxes are linked together in series from the top to f the bottom of the press by means of outstanding lugs 27 having bolt-receiving apertures through which the headed bolts 28 pass, the lugs 27 being offset or staggered, as shown, so as "to permit tying them together by the bolts, which lie offset from one another vertically in the series. It will be seen that the bolts '28 which hold the press boxes together are of sufficient length so that the boxes may be separated or strung out, as indicated by the position of the lower five boxes of Fig. 1, and the upper nine boxes of Fig. 2, so that ample room will be given. between these separated boxes for charging and discharging the individual boxes. This suspension of the boxes in linked series is preferably secured in the manner shown by a succession of groups of lugs and bolts, and

this insures always a proper horizontal relation of the press boxes parallel with each other, and 1nsures an even and uniform movement of the boxes in comlng together and separating during the operation of the press. The press as thus constructed may be conveniently operated by charging the; upper series of the boxes and then actuating the lift at the top of the press, which,

through its cross head 24 and tension rods 25 willbring the upper press boxes together under light pressure, at. the same time opening or stringing out the lower press boxes for i The lower boxes will then bei charged and they will then be actuated and brought to expressing position by the lower' ram and the entire series of boxes put un-.

charging.

der compression. After the boxes have been sub ected to nine boxes as shown in Fig. 2.

The press boxes 29 are constructed to withstand high pressure without breakage,

and are also built tosecure a very efficient and quick drainage, and furthermore are provided with convenient cake loosening and discharging features. As the boxes are duplicates of each other, except as to the and 7, it will be seen that the body portionsufficient compression anddrainage, the press is preferably discharged. by first separating the lower five boxes as shown in Fig. 1, and then after their cakes have been removed, by separating the upper of the box 29 has the cake-receiving table or mat 30, the surface of which is a perforated plate overlying a series of drainage grooves 31, leading to a series of drainage apertures 32 in the four edges of the mat. The grooves 31 are preferably arranged as shown, there being a series of parallel end-draining grooves leading from substantially the center of the rectangular table to the drainage openings through each end marginal rib, these grooves gradually decreasing in length from the center grooves toward the corners of the table, and on either side of the end drainage grooves are a series I of parallel side drainage grooves which gradually decrease in length on both sides from the middle groove of each group, these end drainage grooves and side drainage grooves being separated by narrow ribs extending diagonally between the corners of the table as shown in plan view in Fig. 3. The drainage grooves 31 increase in depth from the narrow ribs at the top of the table, as shown in sectional view, Fig. 6, so that a positive and quick drainage of oil or other fluid is secured over the entire area of the plate, the grooves 31, as arranged, being calculated to intercept flow throughout the entire area of thebox. In cross section the grooves 31 are in general of parabolic shape, so as to secure maximum drainage capacity for area and pitch.

By laying the grooves 31,as shown; thatis shallow at their inner ends near the center of the box and gradually increasing in depth toward the sides of the box, I preserve, as shown in sectional view, a maximum thickness of material in the center of the box, so

that danger of fracture from excessive pressure is eliminated, weakening of the horizon tal mat of the box at its center is overcome, and thickness of material and strength are left where most desirable. Furthermore, by arranging the grooves in the table, grouped in the manner shown, to drain to the four edges, I provide diagonally placed intersecting ribs 75 of material which cross at the center of the table and serve as supporting struts, which, since they areof extra thickness materially strengthen the table and frame, particularly the'corners of the mat and box. As shown in Fig. 3, the dotted circle 12 indicates the ram, the pressure of whichis directed'against the center of the press box where the ribs 75 cross and from whence they extend in radial lines to the corners,

nearly of the mat or table 30 and brace these. parts of the press box to fully resist the,

as to follow and register with the outer edges of each of the drainage grooves. I find that this gives ample means of escape for the expressed fluids and insures delivering them to the drainage grooves and apertures very quickly, resulting in rapid drainage. The drainage apertures 32 are arranged as shown in Fig. 4, and they deliver to the outstanding web 36 of the press box from which the oil flows downwardly to the guttered ram-plate 37, and then to a suitable drip pan 88, resting on the bottom frame 16, from which it runs to receptacles in carrying troughs. The web 36, as heretofore stated, has at its edges the lugs 27 through which the tying together bolts 28 pass, these lu 's being preferably formed integral, and being stepped along the edge of the web to proper position, each of the lugs 27 having two-bolt receiving holes, one for the bolt by which it is connected to the box next above and the other by which it is connected to the box next below. In order to give the greatest possible strength I preferably make the webs 36 as shown, widening them to a point midway their lengths coincident with the axes of the box, and also thickening them from their ends to these axial points. I find that this construction gives a box which, since it is strong at the lines of its minor and major axes where the pressing strains culminate, is well calculated to stand a very high pressure without breakage.

In order to guide the boxes 29 I provide them with a series of guiding notches which engage guides 39 formed on the columns 17, as best shown in Fig. 3, these guides and notches serving to maintain the boxes against lateral displacement during operation of the press, and in order to direct the oil away from the ribs and columns, I may provide the web on its upper surface over which the oil drains, with a rib 40, which will divert the oil away from the box guides and coluinns.

The boxes may be provided at one of both ends with clearing windows or apertures 41, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, which windows are normally closed by horizontally placed plugs or wedges 42, which have their inner ends reduced or notched, as at 43, said notched or reduced end lying in a recess in the main interior pressing surface of the box so as to give an unbroken and uniform interior surface, and at the same time, when the plug or wedge 42 is withdrawn, give a recess above the cake in which a clearing bar may be inserted to pry and start the cake from the box, said wedge 42 in one of its forms being provided with a perforation or opening 44 in which a tool or hook may be inserted to start the wedge from its window. The plug 42 in the form illustrated in Fig. 8, will preferably be held in place by a vertically placed wedge 45 which drops into a seat in the web of the box behind the plug 42 and looks it tightly in place, the said wedge having preferably a slot or recess 46 in its outer face so that a pinch bar may be inserted therein and by leverage on the sill 47 of the window frame or opening, the wedge 45 may be started from its seat.

I11 order that the frame of the window may be sufficiently strong to stand the leverage exerted by the cake loosening bar, as shown in Fig. 9, I preferably reinforce the top of the window frame by an arch or rib 48, as clearly shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, this reinforcing arch 48 being placed where the strain of the bar comes, as shown in Fig. 9 to eliminate danger of breakage of the frame at this point.

While the construction of the plug closure above described serves the purpose, it will be obvious that it may be varied to a considerable extent, and as illustrative of such differences I have shown in Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, two variations which may be adopted. At the left of Figs. 10 and 11, .and in Fig. 12, 42 indicates the plug closure having preferably tapering sides and bottom, and an outwardly projecting lug 49 through which is made a perforation 50. Projecting from the web 36 of the press box 29 is a small bracket 51 on which is pivoted. a horizontal swinging lever 52, having a hand grip 53 between which and its pivot 54 is pivotally connected the lug 49 of the plug closure by means of a pin or bolt 55. As thus constructed, by seizing the grip with the hand and operating the lever 52, the plug closure may be readily withdrawn and inserted in its opening as desired. To facilitate the withdrawal of the plug closure, the opening 56 in the lever through which the pivot pin 55 passes is elongated to compensate for the oscillation of the lever.

Projecting from the press box 29, parallel to the plug closure and on each side thereof are two lugs 57 and 58, the inner lugs 57 lying close to said plug closure while the lugs 58 are spaced a short distance on each side thereof. Slidably mounted in each pair of lugs 57 and 58 is a headed pin 59, the

inner ends of which pins are adapted to enter openings 60 in the side of the plug closure when the latter is seated, for the purpose of looking it in place. Between the lugs 57 and 58 a cross-pin 61 extends through the locking pin 59 to prevent it being withdrawn from the lugs when moved outwardly to unlock the plug closure. 4

Instead of hinging the plug closure on a lever by means of which it is withdrawn from the opening, said plug closure may be hinged directly on the press-box 29, as shown at the right of Figs. 10 and 11 and in Fig. 14, where the plug closure 42 is mounted between the two lugs 62 and 63, one on each side, to give support to a hinge pin 64 passing through said lugs and the plug closure. The outer end 65 of the plug closure has a socket 66 formed therein for the insertion of a suitable tool which when raised depresses the inner endor nose 67 of the plug and thereby loosens the cake, pressing its edge below the bottom of the press box sulficiently far to permit a slicing bar entering thereunder for separating the cake from the box.

Under certain conditions it is desirable to have both window openings provided with removable plug closures, similar to that shown at 42 and 42 so that a'separate tool may be inserted within the window to act on the cake. When plug closures-such as 12 are used the swinging levers 52-by which they are carried may both be pivoted on the bracket 51 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10, and in full lines in Fig. 11. There are other occasions when the arrangement shown in Figs. 10 and 11 may be employed, that is one of the windows having a removable plug closure and the other the hinged closure 4:2. \Vhen so arranged the cake may be started by first opening'the window, containing the movable plug closure, and by means of a slicing tool separating one corner of the cake from the press box, after which the other corner may be loosened by tilting the hinged plug closure 42 in the manner described. may be started by first operating the hinged plug 42" and then, by means of a slicing bar inserted in the windows after withdrawing the closure 42", the cake can be entirely separated from the press box.

I claim 1. A press box having an outwardly extending web portion, the greatest width of which is at the axis of the box.

2. A press box having an outwardly ex.- tending web portion, the greatest thickness of which is at the axis of the box.

I 3. A press box having an outwardly extending web portion, thegreatest width and thickness of which web is at the axis of the box.

. 1. A press box having an outwardly extending web portion, said web being of increased width at the major and minor axes of the box.

A press box having an outwardly extending web portion, said web being of increased thickness at the major and minor axes of the box.

6. A press box having an outwardly extending web portion, said web being of increased width and thickness at the major and minor axes of the box.

7. Apress box'having an outwardly extending web portion which gradually in-' creases in width and thickness from its ends to the ma]or and minor axes of the box.

8. A press box having intersecting diago- Or if desired, the cake nal ribs extending substantially across said box between the corners to form a'brace for said box.

9. An angular press box having straight intersecting diagonal ribs extending substantially acrosssaid box between the corners to brace said corners. y

10. A press box having intersecting diagonal ribs extending substantially across said-box between the corners thereof to brace saidcorners, and drainage grooves extending from said ribs to the edges of the box.

11. A press box with an external projecting drainage block on one side, said block having intersecting diagonal bracing ribs extending substantially across the face thereof between the corners. I

12. A press box with an external projecting drainage block on one side, said block having intersecting diagonal bracing ribs extending substantially across the face thereof between the corners and a marginal rib surrounding its edge.

13. A press box with anexternal projecting block on one side, said'block having intersecting diagonal bracing ribs extending substantially across the face thereof between the corners, a marginal rib surrounding its edge, and drainage grooves extending from said diagonal ribs to the marginal rib.

1%. A press box with an external projecting block on one side, said block having intersecting diagonal bracing ribs extending sub' stantially across the face thereof between the corners, a marginalrib surrounding its edge, drainage grooves extending from said cliagonal ribs to the marginal rib in a direction substantially perpendicular to said marginal rib, and drainage holes extending from the drainage grooves through the marginal rib.

15. A press box with an external projecting block on one side, said block having intersecting diagonal bracing ribsextending substantially across the face thereof between the corners, a marginal rib surrounding its edge, drainage grooves sloping downwardly from said diagonal ribs to the marginal rib and substantially perpendicular to said marginal rib, and drainage holes extending from the drainage grooves through the marginal 16. A press box withan external projecting drainage block, said block having a marginal rib surrounding all the edges thereof,

and drainage holes through said marginal rib near the bottom of said drainage block.

17. A press box having groups of drainage grooves, and intersecting ribs extending substantially across said box diagonally and substantially between the corners separating said groups of'drainage grooves from one another.

18. A press box with an external projecting drainage block, said block having on its face groups of drainage grooves, and intersecting diagonal ribs extending substantially across said block and substantially between the corners separating said groups of drainage grooves from one another.

19. An angular press box having groups of parallel drainage grooves extending toward the ends and sides thereof substantially perpendicular to said ends and sides, and intersecting ribs crossing said box diagonally substantially from the corners and separating said groups of drainage grooves.

20. An angular press box with an external projecting drainage block having groups of parallel drainage grooves extending toward the ends and sides thereof substantially perpendicular to said ends and sides, and intersecting diagonal ribs crossing said box substantially from the corners separating said groups of drainage grooves.

21. A press box having a surrounding wall with an aperture therein and hinged means for opening and closing said aperture.

22. A press box having a surrounding wall with an aperture therein, and an outwardly opening hinged closure for said aperture.

23. A press box having a surrounding Wall with an aperture therein, an outwardly removable closure for said aperture, and an arm hinged to said box and to said closure.

24. A press box having a surrounding wall with an aperture therein continuous with a recess in the main interior pressing surface of the box to receive a tool for loosening a cake within the box, and an outwardly removable hinged closure for said aperture and recess.

25. A press box having a surrounding wall with an aperture therethrough adapted for the insertion of a cake loosening tool therein and between the cake and the main interior pressing surface of the box, and an outwardly removable closure for said aperture hinged to said box.

26. A press box having fixedly connected side and end walls through one of which is formed an aperture to receive a tool to loosen a cake within said box, and a closure for said aperture hinged to said box.

97. A press box having fixedly connected side and end walls, a bracing flange surrounding said walls, an aperture being formed through one of said walls to receive a tool to loosen a cake within said box, and a closure for said aperture hinged to said box.

28. A press box having side and end walls, an opening through one of said walls to permit access to the interior, a hinged closure for said opening and means for locking said closure to the press box.

29. A press box having an aperture in at least one wall thereof, a plug for closing said aperture, a lever pivoted on said box and to the plug for moving said plug, and locking means for said plug.

30. A press boxhaving an aperture in at least one wall thereof, a plug for closing said aperture, a lever pivoted on said box and to the plug for moving said plug, and locking means on the press box for fastening the plug within the aperture.

31. A press box having an aperture in at least one wall thereof, a plug for closing said aperture, a lever pivoted on said box and to the plug for moving said plug, and a sliding pin on the press box to lock the plug within the aperture.

32. A press box having an aperture in at least one wall thereof, a plug for closing said aperture, a lever pivoted on said box and to the plug for moving said plug, and sliding pins on the press box to enter the sides of the plug when closed and lock it in place.

33. A press box having an aperture in at least one wall thereof, a plug for closing said aperture, a lever pivoted on said box and to the plug for moving said plug, a pair of lugs projecting from the press box on each side of said plug and a pin slidably supported in each pair of lugs in position to engage the plug when within the aperture and lock the same in place.

3%. A press box having'a wall, an aperture therethrough and a reinforcing rib over the outer portion of said aperture.

35. A press box having side and end walls to form a cake receiving cavity and a cake loosening tool projecting into and forming a part of the pressing surface of said box.

36. A press box having a wall with an aperture therein, and a hinged closure for said aperture, said closure projecting through said wall and having its interior part seated in the main interior pressing surface of said box.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

Jxs. E. DoBBs, D. H. HAMBY.

Gopie: of this patent may be obtained ioi' five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

